LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM
REP. CAL BAHR - DISTRICT 31B
Friday, August 27th, 2021 --
July has come and gone, now August is coming to a close and in Minnesota that means it’s time for the Great Minnesota Get-Together! Fortunately the State Fair has opened its doors after a year long hiatus due to COVID-19. This year's fair is sure to draw attention from the media however, as there will be no mask or vaccine mandates required to attend. Unsurprisingly this “hysteria” has driven some organizations to withdraw from the fair altogether. If you are looking for some vitamin D, and some fresh fried air then make sure to stop by the state fair open until Sept 6th. But this year you won’t be able to get a firearm past the gates. Each year we have seen the fair become a more and more unfriendly place to law abiding permit holders. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus has filed a lawsuit to clarify that as a public institution, the Fair cannot ban guns. The lawsuit is going forward, but a temporary injunction requested by MNGOC was denied by the judge.
NO VACCINE MANDATES
Over the past few weeks the previously intangible idea of vaccine mandates being placed on Americans was nothing more than what the left called them; conspiracy theories. However today these are much more than just a theory, it's our nightmare. Last week the Governor announced that all state employees would be required to be vaccinated by Sept 8th or be subject to weekly testing. This follows in the steps of other states like California and New York whose Governors are placing these mandates on private businesses. I have received an overwhelming response from constituents concerned over these mandates. My answer is simple; I do not believe in Government mandates and I will not vote to support any vaccine mandates in the state of Minnesota.
Driver Exam Stations
The Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) of the Department of Public Safety will begin the process of reopening all 93 driver exam stations across the state. The vast majority of these stations have been closed for the last year and a half due to the COVID-19. The preliminary plan from DVS will have all 93 exam stations reopened by Jan. 31, 2022.
In May of 2020, only 14 exam stations were open throughout all of Minnesota. Currently, there are 26 exam stations that are open. Obviously, this extreme consolidation of exam locations has left many families and individuals frustrated by the lack of services. People across Minnesota have been prevented from getting permits and licenses.
While I believe the dramatic cutbacks in exam stations were unnecessary, I am grateful that the reopening process has begun.
To get all 93 locations open by the January 31st deadline, the DVS will need to undertake an ambitious hiring and training process for new staff at all exam stations. As such, there is a great need to recruit people for these job openings.
If any of you are interested in applying for some of these jobs, here is a link so you can do so: https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/
Choose Freedom,
Cal Bahr
State Representative, 31B
Contact:
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact my office or me. If you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Grayson, at Grayson.mcnew@house.mn.
Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV
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